The Role of Bronchoscopy as a Diagnostic and Therapeutic Modality in Critically Ill Patients with Respiratory Failure and Pneumonia in the Intensive Care Unit: A Descriptive Observational Study
Authors
Abstract
Introduction: Respiratory failure remains a major cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Pneumonia frequently results in respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. Bronchoscopy enables direct airway visualization and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), providing important diagnostic and therapeutic benefits in critically ill patients. This study evaluated the role of bronchoscopy in ICU patients with pneumonia-associated respiratory failure.
Methods: This descriptive observational study was conducted in the adult ICU of RSUP H. Adam Malik Medan, Indonesia. Adult patients with pneumonia-associated respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation who underwent bronchoscopy during ICU treatment in December 2025 were included. Data were obtained from medical records, bronchoscopy reports, laboratory investigations, and radiological examinations. Outcomes included chest radiographic findings, leukocyte count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and BAL culture results.
Results: Eighteen patients were included. Radiological improvement was observed in 13 patients (72%), whereas deterioration was observed in five (28 %) patients. Improvement in leukocyte count occurred in 16 (89%) patients, and improvement in NLR was identified in 15 (83%) patients. BAL cultures predominantly revealed Acinetobacter baumannii, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Conclusion: Bronchoscopy provides important diagnostic and therapeutic benefits in ICU patients with pneumonia-associated respiratory failure by facilitating airway clearance, improving inflammatory parameters, and supporting targeted antimicrobial therapies.
Similar Articles
- Kadek Adi Sudarmika, Ni Luh Eka Sriayu Wulandari, Dilated Cardiomyopathy Related to Hyperthyroidism in Young Adults , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 3 No. 8 (2024): August
- Mukhamad Faried, Franciscus Ginting, Tambar Kembaren, Putri Chairani Eyanoer, Factor Influencing Mortality in Moderate - Severe Covid-19 Patients In Tertiary Hospital, Indonesia , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 2 No. 7 (2023): July
- Rajuddin Rajuddin, Inong Indira Meutia, Prenatal Diagnosis, Neonatal Outcomes, and Management of Pregnancies Complicated by Gastroschisis , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 4 No. 9 (2025): September
- Ahsan Raza Khan , Mehwish Iqbal , Emerging Antimicrobial Resistance in Gram-Negative Pathogens: Protocol for a Pragmatic Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 5 No. 3 (2026): March
- Jonathan Junius Sibarani, Oryza Satria, Dina Aprilya, Minimally Invasive Correction of Proximal Phalanx Malunion Using Cannulated Headless Screws: A Case Series , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 4 No. 10 (2025): October
- Nelly Rosdiana, Novia Kemal , Lactate Dehydrogenase and Blast Rates in the Diagnostic Phase and the Late Remission Phase of Acute Childhood Leukaemia Patients , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 3 No. 8 (2024): August
- Ade Firman Saroso, Hans Utama Sutanto, Donna Adriani, Irmiya Rachmiyani, Triasti Khusfiani, Mustika Anggiane Putri, Effective skin care management in postmenopausal women , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 2 No. 10 (2023): October
- Yovita Belva Lokman, Dedy Dwi Putra, Setia Putra Tarigan, Ririe Fachrina Malisie, Thoracic CT Scan Image in Transudate and Exudate Pleural Effusion Cases at Haji Adam Malik General Hospital Medan in January - September 2024 , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 3 No. 12 (2024): December
- Gunawan Wijaya Setiawan , Biologic Therapies in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyposis: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 4 No. 12 (2025): December
- Perdana Liansyah Sihite, Abdullah Hambali, Muhammad Firdaus Kamil, Muhsin Muhsin, Azhari Gani, Muhammad Diah, Thyroid Heart Disease in Young Male, a Case Report , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 2 No. 1 (2023): January
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.